WSR 11-06-006

PROCLAMATION

OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR


[ February 14, 2011 ]


PROCLAMATION BY THE GOVERNOR


11-03



WHEREAS, a severe winter storm produced extensive rainfall throughout Washington from January 9 through January 26, 2011, threatening citizens and property of Washington State; and


This storm produced significant flooding, high winds, and heavy precipitation, resulting in saturated soils, landslides and power outages; causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, highways, public utilities, public facilities, and infrastructure in Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grant, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom counties; and


The storm caused extensive damage to state and county road systems with the estimated cost to correct the road systems damage over $1.1 million and growing, requiring the approval of Washington's Secretary of Transportation to commence work to repair, remove and replace the affected roadways; and emergency conditions may warrant closure of affected roadways and implementation of emergency procurement procedures; and


The Washington State Department of Transportation is coordinating resources to repair the highways and county road systems; is continuing to assess the damage caused by this incident, and is working closely with local jurisdictions to develop short and long term repairs for the roadways and detours; and


The impact of this incident to the life and health of our citizens, as well as the property and transportation infrastructure of Washington State, is a public disaster that affects life, health, property and public peace; and


The Washington State Military Department activated the state Emergency Operations Center, implemented response procedures, and coordinated resources to support local officials in alleviating the immediate social and economic impacts to people, property, and infrastructure and is continuing to assess the magnitude of the incident.


NOW, THEREFORE, I, Christine O. Gregoire, Governor of the state of Washington, as a result of the above-noted situation and under Chapters 38.52 and 43.06 RCW, do hereby proclaim that a State of Emergency exists in Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Cowlitz, Grant, Grays Harbor, King, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Pacific, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Wahkiakum, and Whatcom Counties in the state of Washington, and direct the plans and procedures in the Washington State Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan be implemented. State agencies and departments are directed to utilize state resources and to do everything reasonably possible to assist affected political subdivisions in an effort to respond to and recover from the incident.


Signed and sealed with the official seal of the state of Washington this 14th day of February, A.D, Two Thousand and Eleven at Olympia, Washington.
By:

Christine O. Gregoire

Governor

BY THE GOVERNOR:

Steve Excell

[Assistant] Secretary of State

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